22 Health Care Services You Get Free With Medicare

Few senior discounts are worth as much as the savings you get through Medicare health insurance.

Medicare is federally subsidized. So, having a Medicare insurance plan typically is cheaper than buying a health insurance plan on your own.

Medicare is not free — there are premiums, deductibles and copays. But it does entitle policyholders to various “freebies.” By our count, there are at least 22.

These freebies are preventive services ranging from annual wellness visits to flu shots and cancer screenings. So, redeeming them will save you money — and possibly protect you from future medical conditions and costs. They could even save your life.

Medicare freebies

Under Original Medicare, the following services are free to all beneficiaries:

“Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit (includes a review of your medical and social history related to your health and education, and counseling about various preventive services)

Vaccination for pneumococcal infections, which include certain types of pneumonia

Under Original Medicare, the following services are free to eligible beneficiaries. Eligibility varies by test but often involves being within a certain age range or having a higher risk for a medical condition.

Vaccination for hepatitis B

Bone density test

Screening for diabetes

Screening for hepatitis C

Screening for HIV

Screening for lung cancer

Screening for colorectal cancer (can include a colonoscopy or other types of tests)

Patients do not owe copays or other out-of-pocket costs for these services. However, before redeeming these freebies, know that they are free:

For folks with what’s known as Original Medicare. Costs might differ for people with Medicare Advantage plans, which are offered by private health insurers.

When obtained from a health care provider who “accepts assignment.” This is jargon that basically means the provider has signed an agreement accepting Medicare’s payment conditions.

When obtained at a certain frequency, which varies. For example, Medicare beneficiaries can get a free flu shot once every flu season but can only get a free screening for heart disease once every five years.

For folks who are eligible for them. Some Medicare freebies are available to all beneficiaries, but most freebies are available to folks in certain situations.

Using Medicare’s websites

Note that you can use Medicare.gov’s “Your Medicare Coverage” search tool to determine whether services or supplies are covered by Medicare and get an idea of what they would cost you — including whether they are free.

Logging into your MyMedicare.gov account will give you access to more personalized information, including a calendar of the free tests and screenings for which you are eligible. You’ll find this in the “My Health” section.

Medicare.gov and MyMedicare.gov are official Medicare websites operated by the federal government. Using these websites is free, as is signing up for an account.

What’s your favorite thing about Medicare? Share your thoughts with us below or over on our Facebook page.

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